April 18, 2014 at 2:41 p.m.
Four individuals arrested in Pine Lake meth bust appear in court
Four individuals arrested in Pine Lake meth bust appear in court
Scott Dumpprope, 40, Gerry Fredrick, 38, Thomas Franz, 55, and Carrie Steinmetz, 46, are each facing one count of manufacturing/delivery of methamphetamine, a class F felony charge that carries a maximum possible penalty of 12 1/2 years in the state prison system.
Dumpprope, Franz and Fredrick remain in custody on cash bonds. Steinmetz was released on a $5,000 signature bond. They will all appear in court May 5.
According to the criminal complaint, Dumpprope and Fredrick allegedly made methamphetamine in the basement of Dumpprope's home in the town of Pine Lake. Franz and Steinmetz are accused of supplying materials used to manufacture the drug.
When interviewed by law enforcement, Dumpprope said he first tried meth 18 years ago and started using the drug again in the last three months. Dumpprope said a man living with him offered meth to him, and the man said he had been making the drug in the residence with Fredrick. Dumpprope said he too became involved in the manufacturing process after he started using meth and estimated that he had done it about 10 times, each time producing about 2 grams of the drug.
Franz admitted that he and Steinmetz purchased over-the-counter drugs and provided them to Dumpprope and Fredrick for the purpose of making meth. He said they used the drug with Dumpprope as well but there was no conversation about manufacturing. Franz said he didn't want to be involved in the process. Steinmetz admitted to going to Dumpprope's residence to use meth, but said she didn't have any knowledge about the drug being made in the home.
The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation by the Northcentral Drug Enforcement Group into the use and distribution of meth in the area. According to a press release from the Oneida County Sheriff's Office, additional arrests are anticipated as a result of this particular investigation.
Kyle Rogers may be reached at [email protected].
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